Expandible reenforced laminated block and plank flooring



B. w. CADWALLABER 1,799,729

April 7, 19314.

EXPANDBLE REENFORCED LAMINATED BLOCK AND,v PLANK FLOORING .Filed 06T.. 24, 1928 Patentedy Apr. 7, 1931 (PATENT OFFICE BROOKE W. GADWALLDER, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA EXPANDIIBLE REENLFORQED LAMINATED BLOCK PLANE FLOORING Application mea october 24, 192s. serial m3111364.

This invention relates to improvements in expansion members for joined wood sections and has for one of its principalobjects the provision of means for preventing cupping or buckling of a wood floor or the like by compensating for the expansion of the same due to the presence of moisture at the junctions of the wood sections. l

One of the important objects of the invention is to provide an expansion take-up as applied to wood blocks of the longitudinally laminated type, solid blocks or planks, whether of the usual tongue and groove type or of the metal spline joined type, as'shown in applicants pending application Serial Number 256,256. More particularly the invention comprises a compressible member` interposed between the edges of adjacent wood sections.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of means in a laminated or plank ooring for reenforcing the laminated or plank construction and at the same time provide anexpansible joining means for eachv individual section. p j

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and following specification.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and hereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 -is a perspective top view of a section of a parquetry ioor, illustrating in par ticular the expansion bead used therein.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail erspective of a corner portion of a iiooring lock.

As shown in the drawings: q

The reference numeral 10 indicates generally a laminated parquetry flooring block, the

laminations 12 being glued or otherwise suity ably fastened to each other, the lines of juncture of the same being parallel tothe grain of the wood.

As illustrated in the Figures 1, 2, and 3 each individual block is provided with a groove 14 50 which traverses the four edges of the same.

A metal spline 16 is shown positioned in the grooves 14 and is adapted to join the various adjacent blocks to each other, as is more fully described in the applicants co-pending application, Serial Number 256,256. The metal spline 16 performs a further function in use with a-laminated block, in that it provides a very desirable reenforcing means for the laminations which compose the block, since each spline is in contact with and supports the ends of the various laminations comprising the block. In using blocks of very large dimensions where the length of the lamina: isrelatively large a reenforcing member 17 is preferably inserted through the block at right-angles to the laminations and midway between the ends of the same. The member 17 is preferably a metal pin or the like driven through the laminations or inserted in an opening provided therein. Al-

though metal spline means of joining the secl tions is shown, any of the common modes of joining the same may be used in conjunction with this invention.

It can readily be observed/from Figure 1, that the laminae and hence the grain of each of the blocks is positioned at right-angles to the next adjacent block. The reason for this means of laying of the blocks is that moisture expands the wood only at right-angles to its-v grain. Hence a floor constructed as described above will haveJ a uniform expansion in all directions over its entire area.

In order to prevent cupping of the blocks, y

or if planks are used, buckling of the planks, an expansion elementvv 18 is provided, prefer-v ablyof the form of a bead or the like, constructed integral with the two outer lamin of each block or plank and traversing the entire length of the same. It can readily be seen that when expansion occurs these beads 18 are easily crushed, being of a comparatively small cross-sectional area, the depth of the beads depending upon the number of. laminations used, the width of'each lamination and the coefficient of expansion .of the particular type of wood comprising the laminations.. Thus the expansion of each individual block is taken up by the crushing of the respective beads and no undesirable cupping or buckling can possibly occur. The cracks formed by the beads abutting the plane edges of the adjacent blocks or planks can be filled with wax or some other such pliable material for the sake of the appearance of the floor surface.

To obtain a better purchase or gripping surface for the lower face of the ooring blocks l0 a series of indentations 2O are provided running parallel to the laminations l0.

It is apparent that herein is provided an anti-warping or buckling device for wooden flooring; a device which facilitates the laying of the floring as well as protecting it after it is laid. The device can be produced economically, as the bead can be formed integral with the end laminaa and can be cut when cutting the said laminas.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limiting 'the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

In a non-warping flooring, a plurality of similar blocks, each block comprising a number of sections, spline and groove joints between the blocks, means at the juncture of the blocks for taking up expansion of the same, said means including beads formed integral on two parallel edges of each block, the said beads running parallel to the grain of the wood of the blocks, and means upon the lower face of each block for gripping a supporting surface, said means comprising a plurality of longitudinal indentations on the lower sides of certain of the sections, and a pin traversing the sections for readily joining the same together.

In testimony whereof I aiX my signature.

BROOKE W. GADWALLADER. 

